Standing Bodhisattva with Halo
Unknown Artist
9th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H.(w/base) 7 5/16 in. (18.6 cm) H.(w/out base) 6 1/2 in. (16.5)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Indonesia (Java)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Bequest of Samuel Eilenberg, 1998
Accession Number
2000.284.7
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze sculpture, *Standing Bodhisattva with*, hails from 9th-century Java, Indonesia a golden era when the island was a vibrant hub of Mahayana Buddhism under dynasties like the Sailendras. Crafted by an unknown artist, the figure stands just over 6½ inches tall without its base, embodying the compassionate ideal of a bodhisattva—a being who delays enlightenment to aid others. The radiant halo crowning the figure symbolizes divine wisdom and spiritual purity, a hallmark of Buddhist iconographyBronze was a prized medium in ancient Java for its durability and ability to capture i...